A Date to Reinvigorate
Set an intention for transformation at
El Encanto’s Wellness Week
Written by Jenn Thornton
When reviving after a season of long reprieve, taking refuge at El Encanto, the beloved Belmond-brand hotel, is more imperative than inclination. Its lush hillside setting and low-key California glamour is always a strong siren call, but with its newest experience, Wellness Week at El Encanto, temptation has reached its apex. A program of restoration, revitalization, movement and wellbeing, this April 11-15 and May 2-6, spring awakening is a reawakening too. Mind, body, spirit—all are kindly invited.
Nestled in the hills of Santa Barbara, El Encanto embraces its serene backdrop for Wellness Week.
With its bevy of delights and refinements, and proximity to the Pacific, which looms in the distance like an old friend, El Encanto is reliably rapturous, but with Wellness Week, it’s a sanctuary, as well. This deeply curative, four-day reset featuring local fitness instructors, skilled trainers, and meditation gurus, along with interactive group classes, bespoke wellness dining and more, is the post-pandemic abundance we deserve. Mindfulness Matters founder Samara Zelniker will divulge the life-giving freedom that comes with letting go of limiting beliefs, while Mindy Sofro, owner of Barre3 Santa Barbara and a Lululemon ambassador, will inspire with her story of female entrepreneurship then keep it moving with a Barre3 class designed to help fine-tune the physique with a balanced full-body workout.
“With its bevy of delights and refinements, and proximity to the Pacific, which looms in the distance like an old friend, El Encanto is reliably rapturous, but with Wellness Week, it’s a sanctuary.”
Local recipe developer and food photographer Riley Yahr is bringing simple, healthy recipes and food styling techniques to the table, while the toque of El Encanto, Executive Chef Bruno Lopez, hosts a hands-on cooking demo—the perfect pairing for an organic mixology course. Finally, the week’s wakeup call—a light morning meditation in the warmth of sunrise, followed by a spiritual tea ceremony and teaching with Zhena Muzyka, the creator and formulator of Magic Hour Tea & Transformation and author of Life by the Cup—is proof of a new day dawning. The Spa at El Encanto plans to supply its own brand of sustenance under the guiding hands of seasoned spa therapists who will, depending on one’s preference, freshen up the façade with a signature facial, or ease muscle tension into submission with a soothing and likely much-needed deep tissue massage. The ultimate indulgence, naturally, is exquisite El Encanto itself, with its sea of extravagances segueing from sunny days and coastal views to laissez-faire afternoons poolside and related exploits. As the backdrop for one’s return to vigor, there is no lovelier chrysalis from which to emerge from winter, and no better time than now. belmond.com
